Bayaja Bai Ganapath Kote Pail (Bayaja Maa) came to Shirdi after she married an affluent landowner, Ganapath Kote Patil. She was a dutiful, loving wife, who did all the household chores. But most of all she loved to cook and feed various guests and relatives that came to her home. “Food is Brahma” she knew and was the first lady to feed Baba when he came to Shirdi in the early days. In Chapter 8 of the Sri Sai Satcharitra her love, devotion and caring is beautifully described.

Tatya Kote’s mother, Bayajabai, used to go to the woods every noon with a basket on her head containing bread and vegetables. She roamed in the jungle for several miles, trampling over bushes and shrubs, in search of the “mad Fakir”. And once she found Him, she fell at His feet; The Fakir sat calm and motionless in meditation, while she placed a leaf before Him, spread the eatables and fed Him. Wonderful was her faith and service. Every day at noon, she roamed the jungle and lovingly forced Baba to eat her food. Her Upasana (service) was never forgotten by Baba till his Maha-Samadhi. Remembering the service she had rendered, Baba benefited her son magnificently. Both the son and the mother had great faith in the Fakir, Who was their God. Baba often said to them that Mendicancy was the real Lordship, as it was everlasting; and the so-called Lordship (riches) was transient. After a few years, Baba stopped going into the woods, began to live in the village and had His food in the Masjid. From that time, Bayajabai’s troubles of roaming in the jungle ended (ref: Shri Sai Satcharita, Chapter 8).

Bayaja Bai offering food to Sai Baba

Daily Baba took Biksha from her house. As soon as she heard Baba’s voice she left whatever she was doing. Whether it was attending to the cattle or horses went inside and prepared fresh Bhakri and curried vegetables for him. Baba was very pleased with her love and devotion.

Baba asked her once what she wanted? "Do you want Sampathi (wealth) or Santhathi (welfare of your family)"? Unhesitatingly she asked for the welfare of Tatya, who had no children, though he had three wives. True to His promise Baba looked after Tatya and his family, and even took 'niryan' for him.

Daily Naivedya offered to Baba from Tatya Family Descendants

Naivedya Being offered to Dhuni Maa by Tatya family descendants

Naivedya being offered to Dwarakamai Baba by Abhiraj Kote Patil

Naivedya being offered by Tatya Family Descendants to Dwarakamai Baba

Naivedya being offered by Tatya Family Descendants to Dwarkamai Baba

Smt.Mangala Kote Patil offering Naivedya to Dwarakamai Baba

When Baba was in his physical form, Aarti was performed to him. Usually during Madhav Adkar’s Aarti “Aarti Sai Baba Sowkya Dathaara Jeeva” he was offered the Chillim. Baba would take a puff or two and then pass it around.

The Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan has bestowed the honor of carrying Baba’s photograph during the Palkhi procession on their descendants. The details of Chavadi Procession are as follows:

Viju Kote Patil who is Tatya’s grandson and Gopinath Kote who is Bayyaji’s grandson goes to the Samadhi Mandir just before the Palkhi procession commences. The Pujari gives Baba’s photograph to Viju and the case containing the Padukas to Gopinath. (Earlier, they would ascend the steps of the Samadhi to pick them up. But this process has been stopped about four years ago). They then carry them to the waiting Palkhi and place them inside. Then the Palkhi proceeds to the Dwarakamai. Viju then takes Baba’s photograph and places it on the stone for a short while. After Baba has sat on the stone for sometime, he’s taken to the sanctum sanctorum. The photograph is then placed in the Mandap for sometime. Then it is brought to the Palkhi and placed in it.

Until Viju signals to the Palkhi bearers to lift the Palkhi, it is not lifted. Just as Baba would not get up until Tatya came and lifted him and asked him to go for the Palkhi procession. The Palkhi then goes to the Chavadi, and Aarti is performed there. At that time Baba is offered a lighted Chillim by Viju.

During festival occasions, Tatya family members participate in Bhiksha Jholi and offer the same to Shri Sai Baba even to this day.

Tatya family descendants participating in Bhiksha Jholi Programme

This blessed house of Bayaja Maa is situated adjacent to “Sai Kutir”.

(Source: Shri Sai Satcharita, Chapter 8, Baba's Gurukul by Vinny Chitluri, Photo Courtesy: Smt.Sunita (Dhige) Kaimal, Great Grand Daughter of Tatya Kote Patil, Shri.Pranav, Telangana)